Pilgrimage & Romanesque Architecture

Saint-James, Compostela

(Santiago de Compostela)

Spain

11^th and 12^th centuries (and later)

romanesque architecture

• Basilica plan

• Cross aerial view (trancepts)

• Trancepts have become extremely common, big projecting transept contributes to cross shape and also accommodates pilgrim numbers across the church space 

• Radiating chappels, allows for store reliquaries of relics. Pilgrims can pass by these spaces as they move through and around. 

• Altar above the tomb

• You could call it a cruciform plan (projecting transept=cross shape)

• Nave, side aisles, ambulatory 

• bay=individual spaces on the plan 

St. James trumeau

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Portal of Glory, Master Mateo

1168-1188

Pilgrim’s Badge

15^th century

Lead

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage: a journey to a shrine or holy place

Choir

Choir: section of a church between the nave and the altar, often restricted to the clergy

Radiating chapels

Radiating chapels: chapels that project outwards allowing for circumambulation around the east end of a church

Bay

Bay: the space between architectural supports

Groin vault

Groin vault: a vault type produced by the intersecting of two barrel vaults, which channels thrust towards the corners of the vault

Christ in majesty

Christ in Majesty: image of Christ enthroned and often surrounded by the Evangelists

groin?